Two new members join Weston ConCom

Sunday

WESTON — Josh Feinblum and Ellen Freeman Roth are the newest members of the town’s Conservation Commission, following the death of longtime member George Bates and the resignation of Roberta Lamb.

“We feel very fortunate to have two candidates that we’re quite excited about,” ConCom Chairwoman Laurie Bent said during a recent selectmen’s meeting. “Both of them have property that’s near wetlands and both of them have dealt with wetlands issues, so we’ve sort of had a little bit of a relationship with both of them.”

Bent joked, “We have people who have been on the other side of the Conservation Commission table and they still want to join.”

The Conservation Commission owns and maintains about 2,000 acres of protected land throughout Weston that's open to the public for passive recreation. About 90 miles of trails and hilltop outlooks have been maintained for public use with most of the funding provided by the Weston Forest & Trail Association.

Roth will fill a term that expires on June 30, 2020, and Feinblum will fill the term expiring on June 30, 2021.

Bent said the two new members will “bring great commitment and passion and different skill sets … We’re very enthusiastic about both candidates.”

Roth has lived in Weston for 25 years but relocated to a new home last year.

“We moved our structure much farther away and the Conservation Commission thanked us,” Roth joked to selectmen. “They said no one ever gives land back.”

Roth said her desire to join the ConCom stems from her interest in the environment.

“The street I had lived on, about 20 to 25 percent of it has been clear-cut in the past five to 10 years, and it saddens me,” Roth said. “I figured it’s time for me to walk the walk, and not just talk the talk, and learn what the provisions are and what the (state Department of Environmental Protection) says, and help to make those things happen.”

Feinblum said he moved to Glen Road in Weston with his family about four years ago. He said he likes “challenges. I like learning things I don’t already know about.”

Having grown up in Ellicott City, Maryland, he said that community would have benefited from a Wetlands Protection Act, so “it wouldn’t be complete pavement everywhere around Ellicott City that forces all the water into the downtown area.”

Feinblum said wetlands and environmental issues are areas “I’m passionate about but don’t a know lot about. This seemed like a good way to make me learn more about (them)."